Judaism: Practices

Question 1

What are the purposes of public worship for Jews ?

Answer 1

• gives a sense of belonging to the whole community when worshipping together
  [] also allows for people to make friends within the religion and socialise with people who share their morals and values
• gives an opportunity for people to feel the strength of the faith (how many people hold their beliefs)
• allows to take part in prayers which can only be said in congregations
  [] Shabbat prayers in particular
• rabbinical teaching states that there is more merit to group prayer than individual prayer
• fulfils the requirement for people to worship publicly in the Temple

Question 2

Give a quote from Psalms about the Jewish requirement to worship publicly in the Temple as well as at home

Answer 2

“I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people… in the courts of the house of the Lord.”

Question 3

What is Kiddush ?

Answer 3

Prayer said over wine to sanctify Shabbat

Question 4

Describe Jewish practices during Shabbat from Friday evening to Saturday evening (end of Shabbat)

Answer 4

Friday evening:
- Shabbat welcomed
- go to synagogue where evening prayers held
- end of service rabbi takes cup of wine and recites Kiddush to thank God for giving Shabbat

Saturday morning:
- families go to synagogue for morning prayers (main weekly service)
- Sefer Torah taken out of Ark and carried to bimah for rabbi to read sidra (readings)
- members of the congregation called to recite blessings at certain points of the reading and from books of the prophets
- rabbi gives sermon after Sefer Torah is put back

Saturday afternoon:
- afternoon prayers in synagogue